Seal arrangements for ultrasonically powered surgical instruments

• US 8,951,272 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Robertson, Galen C., Houser, Kevin L., Neurohr, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/703,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20110196398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 606/159, 606/160, 606/170, 606/171, 606/175, 606/176, 606/178, 606/179, 606/180, 604/22, 604/24, 604/23, 277/644, 277/626, 277/647, 277/567
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00225 Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320074 blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an ultrasonic transducer assembly supported within said housing;

a blade coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a hollow sheath coupled to said housing and extending axially around a portion of said blade; and

a seal assembly for establishing a seal between a portion of said blade and said hollow sheath, said seal assembly comprising;

a first annular seal portion attached to said blade; and

two axial seal portions extending axially beyond said first annular seal portion in opposite axial directions from said first annular seal portion and in flexible sealing contact with corresponding portions of an inner wall of said hollow sheath.

2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising an annular groove between said two axial seal portions.

3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein a portion of said hollow sheath extends into said annular groove.

4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said two axial seal portions extend into a corresponding annular sheath groove formed in said hollow sheath.

5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 4 further comprising an inwardly protruding ring portion in said sheath groove, said inwardly protruding ring portion having an angled side portion formed thereon for sliding engagement with at least one of said axial seal portions during installation of said blade into said hollow sheath.

6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said first annular seal portion is attached to said blade at a node in said blade.

7. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a blade coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a hollow sheath extending axially around a portion of said blade; and

a seal assembly for establishing a seal between a portion of said blade and said hollow sheath, said seal assembly comprising;

a first annular seal portion attached to said blade; and

two axial seal portions extending axially beyond said first annular seal portion in opposite axial directions from said first annular seal portion and in flexible sealing contact with corresponding portions of an inner wall of said hollow sheath.

8. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a blade coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a tubular member extending axially around a portion of said blade; and

a seal assembly for establishing a seal between a portion of said blade and said tubular member, said seal assembly comprising;

a first annular seal portion attached to said blade; and

two axial seal portions extending axially beyond said first annular seal portion in opposite axial directions from said first annular seal portion and in flexible sealing contact with an inner wall of said tubular member.